The children were all lined up, each holding his or her gift offering for the birthday child, waiting for their turn to position it in front of the others on the birthday table.  By the smile on most of their faces, it would almost appear that THEY were the recipients.  But, no – they were excited to see the wrapping and tissue paper ripped to shreds as the gift they painstakingly picked out was revealed.

Except for one little boy.

He held tight to his package, apparently in deep thought.  You could see the conflicting thoughts flitter across his little face and when it came time to put his gift on the table, his little arms tightened as he took a step backwards.

Uh-Oh.  His mother tentatively nudged him forward, gently urging the boy to place the bag on the table.  But, then the little boy shoved his gift down onto the ground, the contents spilling forth out of the bag.

The scene ended quickly as he spotted other children playing, and the frustration drifted right out of him.

I wonder how often we behave like that little boy.

How often do we offer up gifts, only to hesitate to let them go?

How often do we offer an act of kindness or service, only to complain or make excuses later?

And, maybe our complaints are silent.  –Maybe we simply get a little bitter and quietly build up resentment and dread.

How often do our gifts turn into obligations for us…and how is it that that happens?

A gift given without gratitude is merely the stealing of joy.

Did you hear me?

A gift given without gratitude is merely the stealing of joy.

What prompts us, after all, to give gifts or serve?

It is gratitude – not necessarily because of something that person has done, but because of who they are or because of WHOSE they are.  It is when we choose to give gifts for selfish reasons (with expectations or to make US feel or look good), that we are more apt to become stealers of joy.

So, as we come into this holiday season, may we choose to be gift givers rather than joy stealers.

Welcome back!

Technically, I’m in my 34th week (33 completed), but I’m doubting you’ll get a new pregnancy update on Tuesday, so here we go.

Last weekend, two of my friends (and some wonderful gals they recruited) threw a very special baby shower for me.

Okay, so maybe it was a shower for Aidan, but I got to open his presents…so, there.  Yeah.

There were mustaches, fun games, putting Grams in a diaper, some very creative gifts, and yummy food and pretty turquoise punch.

We even had a “photo booth” – and, for the record…all photos in this post are by Jenn.  She’s pretty awesome.

I’ll probably write more about the shower later (when she edits the pics), but for now…

PREGNANCY UPDATES!!  WOOHOO!

Cravings: I was having a craving for pumpkin pie chai but that’s been taken care of.  Over the past few weeks, I’ve been wanting steak, though.  Still-pink-a-bit steak.  –Which is weird because I’m more of a pasta or chicken kind of girl.  Iron must be low.

Movement: Oh, how he moves!  He sleeps days and does gymnastics at night.

Symptoms: The gastro-intestinal symptoms are HERE.  Woohoo.  Not.  No more mexican or chinese food for me for this pregnancy!  I’d eat tums but they don’t really help.  Still have really dark urine off and on.  I can pee and then turn around and literally pee 5 minutes later, sometimes.  The first time can be almost clear and 5 minutes later it’s REALLY dark.  Kinda weird.  Happens often (the light/dark switch up).  I drink LOTS of water.  Probably more than the average person, actually.

I’m officially waddling, now.  Makes for walking in heels quite interesting.  Go ahead, try waddling in heels.  Better yet, try waddling up and down stairs in heels.  Fun stuff…especially if you like going DOWN stairs on your face.

Umbilical hernia got better for a little bit (I had more help).  But, then… I had less help…and it came back.  Picking up kids (to put in car seats, baby bed, comfort, etc), boxes, standing for long…makes it worse.  So, it’s back now.

Back pain.  Oh goodness, my back hurts like crazy.  I can feel it popping in and out of place.

And, my tail bone area.  It’s all doing it’s stretchy thing and HURTS…ya know, when I try to do crazy stuff…like WALK or STAND.  Silly me.

While I itch a little … I don’t have the insane rash and crazy itchiness I had with both girls.  Interesting stuff.

Platelets still low, but a little higher than what they were.

Have weird episodes of vertigo in the past week or two.  Really dizzy, funny feeling in my ears, and very sensitive to sound.

Also, had a really weird episode (that happened when pregnant with Lala, and perhaps Rora too) – I noticed my back was hurting and went to roll over, but couldn’t.  I couldn’t move at all.  So, I tried to swing my arm back to make my body roll over, and it was like my brain was saying GO but it was disconnected.  So, I yelled out, but no sound came out.  I couldn’t move, I couldn’t talk.  So, I screamed.  Except, I didn’t.  And then, as suddenly as it came…it went away and I could move again.  Really weird.  Really scary.

I’ve been “not pushing myself” very much and being pretty upfront with folks about my limits and haven’t had any more “real contractions” (the ones that hurt and make me feel sick) in the past week or so.  So…YAY!

What I miss: my husband.  Back and foot rubs.

Clothing: I think I’m gonna just start wearing tunics.  I mean, one huge sheet and I can wear it ALL pregnancy, right?  The lady at the maternity store promised I could wear my preggo shirts the whole way through but was WRONG-O.  They’re already too tight.  Even my t-shirts are WAY too tight and short.  I’ve entered the “hard to clothe” stage.  The things that fit make me look like a human tent.  Or, a hippo in lycra.  Either way, not so great.  Luckily, the swelling hasn’t really begun yet, so I have a few things I can still fit into.  But, when that happens… I’ll be the one in the big sheet.

New Thing I Learned This Week: Peeing in a cup this far along?  REALLY hard.  It’d be a lot less scary if they just gave us bowls once we hit 30 weeks, I think.  I mean, seriously… YOU try closing your eyes and peeing in a cup.

Best Moment This Week: I’ve had lots of great moments:  baby shower, finishing my classes, hay ride and pumpkin patch-ing with mom and the girls, seeing Aidan in 4D…

What I Couldn’t Live Without: Indoor plumbing.  If I had to walk further than my bathroom 40 x a night … like, go outside… I think I’d just wear a diaper to bed or something.  Because, babies are like little cowboys riding your bladder…

*LOVE the death-stare by Rora.  And, please do notice Lala’s “princess” pose… (her hand is flexed out behind her.  She’s gonna be TICKED when she realizes the closest to Royal Family that she has is a bunch of Royal Pain In The You-Know-Whats) 

I can’t believe how quickly they’ve grown!  Make them stop!

LALA:

Favorite color: purple and red
Favorite “character”: Ariel…and princesses…and mermaids of all types.
Favorite music: She and her daddy have a “song” they share — the lazy song.  (I’m not sure how I feel about this, lol)
Favorite food: chicken nuggets and “dip” (honey mustard)… and candy, of course.  Lala likes simpler foods… she prefers her chicken as chicken and not mixed up with lots of other things.  She’s also big on blueberry waffles, scrambled eggs, and hard-boiled eggs.  And, fruit.  Always fruit.
Favorite sayings: Occasionally, she breaks out a British accent (no clue where she got it) and she loves to make up entire languages as she prances around the living room.  Apparently, it’s a princess thing and only princesses would understand.
Favorite Pastime: “Playing” harmonica with her uncle (who is making a goofy face in the photo), coloring, school (K4), crafts, blowing bubbles, playing outside, pretend play, watching princess movies, playing on Mimi’s computer, jumping/playing in the rain
Latest Accomplishment: Learning to draw mermaids, and the kid just gets smarter every day!  Plus, she has the hearing and memory of… I don’t know what… but the kid hears and remembers almost everything (that she wants to).
I’m worried about… her grinding her teeth.  OY.  It’s awful.  (But, I used to do it, too)

…………………………………………..

RORA:

Favorite color: “blue” – mostly because she calls everything “blue”
Favorite “character”: Elmo and Dora and Spongebob.  (I do NOT like spongebob, by the way…well, I think the show is inappropriate.)  She has a “daddy elmo” and “baby elmo” who sit at the corner of her bed and before she sleeps, the baby elmo MUST be sitting in the daddy elmo’s lap.
Favorite music: A mixed set of Christian tunes I put on my ipod for her.  The girls miss their daddy so much and have had a hard time sleeping… this helps them get to sleep.
Favorite food: Food.  She’s a more experimental eater than her sister, though.  She likes “picey” (spicy) food and will eat anything we’re eating as long as it’s off our plate.  A sure fire favorite?  Pizza, also known as “pizpa”
Favorite sayings: “Alright…”  “Momma!  Me your bed!”  “I Rora!  Dis baby bed.  I no baby!”  (She thinks she needs a big bed, now.  I disagree.  She’s a night owl.)
Favorite Pastime: Doing anything her big sister does, watching dora/spongebob (grrr)/elmo, crafts, playing outside, tickle wars, snuggling, talking to herself, and BABIES!  She LOVES babies and is SO excited about her baby brother on the way (so is her big sister!)
Latest Accomplishment: No more pacifier!  And, she’s learning to go potty in the potty!  —  I guess her sister was this way too…I just forgot… but, those potty training books?  TRASH.  The girls decided when they wanted to potty train and it’s definitely not been a one day thing.  But, Rora now knows WHEN she needs to pee.  Now, it’s just convincing Ms. Stubborn to do it.  Some days are much easier than others, and when she’s wearing panties, she is more likely to go.  But, pull-ups?  What’s the point?  (although she sometimes surprises me).  Number 2 is a different deal altogether, though.
I’m worried about… her bowel movements.  Right before, she gets really panicky.  Goosebumps come up, her tiny fists clench, and she’s frantic.  Her little face distorts as she grimaces and whines.  Sometimes it’s just gas, and sometimes it’s not.  But, it’s a big deal.  She can’t be consoled, but it’s like she wants to but yet doesn’t want to be touched or seen.  (She’s not hiding, she just doesn’t want attention…I don’t blame her!)  This didn’t happen with Lala.  We’ve talked to the doctor and he thinks she’s having issues due to the stress of the deployment.  Both girls have actually had lots of tummy aches that the doctor believes is them handling the stress, and he could feel a little bit of a “buildup” in both of their tummies.

“So, it wasn’t so bad, huh?” The pretty petite overly-spunky nurse asked as I ripped the last of the paper tape and gauze from my arms.

Actually, I think it was more of a rhetorical question.

Sometimes, it’s just like people BEG to be smacked.

Instead, I settled with, “I wouldn’t want to do it again…”

The one-hour glucose test was no big deal… gross, but not a big deal.  The three-hour glucose test… well, it’s still gross but it left me feeling horrible and weak and dizzy…for the entire day.  And, today (the next day).  I’m still trying to get my body re-adjusted to “normal.”

However, with all of the needle-pricking, we did find that my platelets are a little low.  They’re teetering on the verge of “over the line” for any sort of spinals/epidurals.  (The hospitals refuse to do epidurals or spinals in c-sections when they go below 100).

In a perfect world, I wouldn’t be worried.

In a perfect world, I wouldn’t need an epidural because my labor was quick and didn’t stall.  In a perfect world, I wouldn’t possibly need a c-section.  In a perfect world…

But, it’s a little disarming to have that “choice” taken away.  You know, the “just in case.”

(Last pregnancy ended in the doctor TELLING me I would have to have an epidural or c-section even though I had planned wholeheartedly for a completely natural birth.)

Low platelets has to do with clotting…which could POTENTIALLY be an issue in “natural” births too… but I’m not sure how low the platelets need to be before they worry about normal clotting.

It does mean that *IF* I had to have a c-section, I would have to be completely put to sleep.

The nurse, we’ll just call her “Ms. Information”  (Get it?  Misinformation…  okay, nevermind)… Anyhow, according to HER, there is NOTHING that helps raise platelets.  Turns out, she’s wrong.  (Record streak she’s got with being wrong.)  There ARE drugs (although I’m not there yet)…and there are some things my doula has said I could try…like raising my iron intake, which should help in an all-around way.

Next week, I go back for another blood test to check platelets –they’re wanting to watch them closely.  And, by then, I should know what the glucose test yielded.

I know you all are DYING to hear my pregnancy updates…so, I thought I’d take the time out of my very busy schedule to appease you all.  You’re so very welcome.

Turns out, little boys (or this one, anyhow) doesn’t make me quite as itchy as the girls did.  I’m a little itchy.  But, just my boobs… and if I use Bath and Body Works, it makes it stop.  A little.  Sort of.

Also, this kid?  He’s a kicker.  And I DON’T KNOW WHY, but apparently I’ve been under a tiny bit more stress than last time(s) and have had some probably-not-Braxton-Hicks types of contractions.  Luckily, they quit after a few hours.  Lots of deep breathing and meditating…oh, who am I kidding?  More like, sobbing into my pillow and eating 20 chocolate chip cookies at once.  But hey, whatever works, right?

Oh…and I failed my first glucose test.  I just have no clue why (couldn’t possibly be the cookies and sweets).  So, I go back for a 3 hour version of the torture…I mean, test.  Then, after my doctor appointment, I think I’m going to invent a new “drink” substitute for those tests…something that contains all the sugar but more in the form of KEY LIME PIE or GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE …you know, something at least semi-worth the dizziness and nauseousness all that sugar induces?  Actually, maybe I’ll just call my doctor and see if I can just bring a whole pie in to eat in 10 minutes in lieu of the “nasty drink.”

In other news, I’m starting my hospital bag list (and bag) now.

I have this bag in black.  It’s going to be “the” bag.

The Contents (to be) List:

• Peppermint, Lavender, and Gentle Baby essential oils – It’s like magic in a bottle…err…three bottles.
• Snacks and bottled water – Maybe.  The hospital isn’t too keen on letting you eat, but I’m kind of a rebel.
• Socks – fun, soft, and fuzzy ones!
• Chapstick (Burt’s Bees) – Pretty self-explanatory
• Ouchless Black Hair Elastics – Rubber band fights!  Or my hair, whichever.
• Camera, batteries, and extra card – So daddy can see his sweet son from halfway around the world!
• Pen and paper – Pens are great for stabbing …or taking notes.  Maybe I should take several pens.
• Cell phone and charger – To make prank calls, clearly.
• Nursing bra and pads – There’s the obvious use, and then there’s drink coasters.  No unsightly rings in my hospital room!
• “Nursing cream” – Because sometimes it OWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
• Toiletries, hairbrush, razor – You never know when you might need to shave.  Never know when you might need to shave SOMEBODY.
• Scrumptious baby blankets – For keeping the little bundle of sweetness warm.
• A couple of baby hats
• Baby outfits – I know naked is more freeing and it’s what he’s been used to for …well, his whole life… But, nekkie babies in winter weather just don’t go together.  Plus, it’s all so cute!
• Red Cross Information to contact “daddy” – He thinks we’re going to skype the whole thing.  But, I’m thinking not so much.
• Something to wear home – babies going home nekkie is frowned upon.  Me going home nekkie is illegal.  I’m pretty sure of it.

(And yes, a car-seat.  But that doesn’t go in the BAG, you gooberheads.  Who puts a car-seat in a bag, anyhow?)

Do you have a great product (or represent a company that does) that you’d like to see on our 2011 Christmas Lineup this year?

We’d love to hear from you!

We are currently accepting submissions geared towards both children and adults!

For more information, please email me at bosssanders (at) gmail (dot) com .

Science is Simple

Why, yes it can be!

With two little ones – a Kindergartner and a toddler, science needs to STAY simple.  Both of my girls are hands-on learners, so that makes science REALLY fun in our house!

Because my girls are young, and because I believe exploration and hands-on activities (especially science!) is best, Science Is Simple is a great book for us!

Written by Peggy Ashbrook and having won the Learning Magazine’s Teachers’ Choice Award, Science Is Simple divides its experiments into lessons.

What Kinds Of Lessons Will My Child Learn From This Book?

Of course, just like with any tools or curriculum, it really depends on how you present the material and their curiosity, but here are a few of the great “lessons” listed in the Table of Contents:

Magnets and Testing Hypotheses
Year-Round Gardening
What Do Seeds Need To Grow
Why Do Some Tree Leaves Change Color?
Stretch Your Senses on a Walk To A Nearby Park
Compost Critters
Spring-Flowering Bulbs…Are Planted In The Fall
Corn and an Introduction to the Globe
Winter Birds
What is Melting
What Can the Wind Do?

Why Is This Book Different From Other Science Textbooks?

Well, first off, it isn’t a textbook!  Second, it’s written for Preschoolers and Kindergartners (although the activities can definitely be altered for older kids if you have siblings involved).

Science is Simple contains over 250 Activities and each Lesson is divided into different sections that give you tips for presenting the material to your child.  And, if you struggle with what to say or the questions to ask, this book covers that too!  Also included in each lesson is a section on other activity ideas and book ideas beyond the experiments to help supplement what they just learned.

Would I Recommend This Book?

Definitely!  This is one of those resources that we’ll continue to use with all of our children.  Whether you are a home-educator or you teach in a classroom, it’s great!

Where Can I Get It?

You can find it on Amazon.com HERE.  Currently, it’s $13.57 (list price is $19.95).

PS – Want to see one of our experiments from the book?  Check out our mantis babies!

For weeks before the deployment began, I pored over tips and forums written by seasoned military wives.  I had questions and I even had question about questions I didn’t even know I had yet.  I wanted to know it all.  I wanted to be as prepared as I could possibly be.

One of the recurring themes in the deployment-ready advice was:  Stay busy.  Do new things.  Go back to school (or get another job).

At first, I scoffed.  Who are these people?  Do they even HAVE children?  If they were getting second jobs and all going back to school, how were they taking care of their kids and dropping them off at soccer and gymnastics and watching plays?

But then, I found out that during the deployment, I would be eligible for a special grant to allow me to go back to school for a couple of semesters.  And, from there…my brain just started spinning.  I thought about how many credit hours I already had and how nice it’d be to finally have them rolled up into some sort of degree – something to show for the hard work I’d already done.  I thought about how much my family would would like that piece of paper.  I thought about how much it would make me more “well-rounded.”  You know, just something else to put under my belt. Also, this would definitely keep me busy…just like they advised.

I enjoy learning (even in a school format), so I jumped into the sign-up process headfirst.  Within a couple of weeks, I was not only enrolled in school and classes, but I had all of my financial aid and transfer transcripts in line and ready to go.

However, I forgot something major.  I forgot to prioritize.

Oh, I prioritized homework and social events.  I made schedules, trying to fit in being a mom of two, their activities, their schooling, and my own lessons and homework.  I even prayed that God would somehow make room in my day for the homework to get finished (and He didn’t disappoint).

But, I forgot to REALLY prioritize.

You see, I wanted to stay busy.  I was offered a military grant for spouses that could only be used in a certain window of time (NOW) and I was told I was crazy not to take it.  I wanted to prove myself.  But, I didn’t step back to see how it lined up with the things on my priority list:  God, husband, children, family, ministry, friends, work, money.  Actually, to be honest, I don’t think it even belonged on the list at all (I wasn’t planning on using the degree in the near future.)

The choice to go back to school at this time in my life wasn’t a good one.  And, had I looked at my priority list beforehand, I would’ve realized that.  Sometimes, we get swayed by what others think is a good idea, or what seems to make sense for everyone else and forget to look at our priorities and God’s will in our life.  Sometimes we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle, that we forget where we’re even going.

So, my questions to you are these:

Looking at the way you live your day to day life, what are your priorities NOW?

What do you want them to be?

What will you do to get them from where they currently are to where you’d like them to be?

The older gentleman stood in front of me, his brow pushed into a frown as he related to me that his grandson was joining the armed forces.  “I just wish you and your husband could talk to him…talk him out of it, ” he said, “he’s too old for this.  He already has a family.”

I looked into his hurting eyes and patted his arm as he turned to leave.  No, he didn’t really want me to talk to his grandson.

Because, if I did, I would tell them both that every soldier – every man and woman serving – they are someone’s sister, brother, daughter, son, granddaughter, grandson, niece, or nephew.  They are mothers and they are fathers.  They are husbands and they are wives.  These people who defend our country daily – who sometimes sleep on the ground and get shot at… they are not faceless warriors, they are not drones programmed by the United States Army.  No, these men and women are our families, our friends, and our coworkers.  They are loved.  And, they are missed terribly.  Every single one of them.

And then, I’d ask if he was fighting because God had called him to pick up this burden and carry it.  If he said yes, I’d simply say, “Vaya con Dios.”  Go with God.

No, you don’t want to ask me to dissuade someone for answering their call.  Because I can’t.

I love my husband and my children and I miss him terribly.  Is it easy?  No.  Would I have chosen another “path” if given the chance?  Yes, but God didn’t ask me when drawing out His Ultimate Plan…

My husband sent me this music video and I think it captures things beautifully.

We miss you!